This is the most compelling recording Youngs has cut since 2004's "River Through Howling Sky," though it doesn't resemble it a bit, and is, in its way, considerably more beautiful, unquestionably more accessible, and equally as magical.

He's a minimalist/multi-instrumentalist who manages to find warmth in what could otherwise be sparse and unforgiving--note the breathtaking pauses between chords in "arise Arise" or the unremitting lilt of "All Day Monday And Tuesday." [Nov 2009, p.117]

Cushioned by minimalistic, often barely audible melodies, Young’s overt lyrical clichés transform into meditative hymns to the repetitiveness of habit and daily life so much so that when Youngs sings, “My mind is wandering / My mind is changing” on “My Mind Is in Garlands” over just a few plunked organ chords and an oscillating celestial drone for the third or fourth time, it’s tough not to feel the album’s hypnotic tug on reality.

If you acquiesce to its pacing and delivery it’s chantlike mix of chill and warmth can be a springboard to your own thoughts. If you’re not so inclined, I imagine that it would be like a Chinese water torture.

Across six songs of minimalist repetition, the day-to-day of this 42-year-old librarian becomes meditative rondeaus, epic folk incrementals that make eerie nourishment for the wee hours. [Nov 2009, p.101]